QiSE REPORT Gilberi &Ellice Islands-Fiji-Tonga-Hurricanes Fall ...

Eighteen hundred tents were airlifted from the U.S. to Fiji to provide' temporary housing
until houses could be rebuilt.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fijian
Affairs, and local government authorities coordinating
the day-to-day operations of the
relief effort. The Committee worked through
four divisional commissioners who in turn
were responsible for fou r to five districts,
each with their own administrative staffs.
The GOF relief effort was well organized and
the distribution of supplies proceeded efficiently
and effectively despite poor communication
and inadequate transportation. The
homeless were temporarily housed in tents
and food assistance was provided·to' those
in need. The number of persons requiring
rations was 'reduced each month between
October and the following March until feeding
assistance was no longer necessary.
Crops were replanted and, as production re-
turned to normal, needs were reduced.
The rebuilding and reconstruction of schools
was given first priority after emergency aid.
With the assistance of the Government of
New Zealand (GONZ), all of the 58 schools
that had been destroyed by the hurricane
were rebuilt by mid-February. Private dwelling
replacement was then begun. The reconstruction
progressed quickly through the
combined efforts of village self-help and
Fiji Government and overseas assistance. The
GOF offered five-year, interest-free housi~g
reconstruction loans to eligible families.
Houses built under this program were constructed'
with GOF-approved designs that
would withstand future hurricanes.
The Fiji Red Cross was also active in the
distribution of relief supplies.
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